Improvement in hemmers for hand-sewing



1. 0. WHITCOMB.

Hand Hemmer.

Patented April 9, 1861.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

J. O. WVHITCOMB, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND JOSEPHDODIN, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN HEMIVlERS FOR HAND-SEWING.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 32,035, dated April 9,1861.

ings.

My improved hemmer is composed of two plates and a flexible strap, oneplate resembling in most respects the-hem-folder used insewing-machines, and being attached to the other plate, which is of suchform that by the aid ofthe strap placed on the thumb it may be heldinthe left hand in such manner that the cloth to be hemmed may be workedfreely through it by that hand to effect the folding of the hem as fastas the stitching is proceeded with by the needle used in the right hand.

Figure 1 in the drawings is a perspective View of'the hemmer complete.Fig. 2 illustrates the manner in which it is held in the hand inhemming. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the folder detached. Fig. 4 isa top view of the plate A, to which the folder is attached, and by whichit is held. Fig. 5.is a side view of the said plate with the thumbstrapattached.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the severalfigures.

The form and construction of the plate Aarc illustrated in the Figs. 1,2, and 4. The principal portion (6 b of the said plate is made fiat, andof sufficient size to enable it to have a proper support upon the firstand second fingersof the left hand and to forma bearing for the fabricwhilethe hem is being folded. From the back of this portion a b, evenwith one side thereof, there extends a narrow tongue, 0, which is curvedto fit the thumb, and to which is attached the thumb-strap B, of indiarubber webbing, tape,or other elastic or flexible material, of suitablesize to fit the thumb,and

- on that side of the said portion ab next to which the said tongue 0 issituated a portion, d, of the plate is turnedover the said portion a Isuch port-ion at being flat and nearly close to and parallel with a I).From that portion of a b opposite to which at is situated a piece, 0,

mers. The scrollfis raised entirely above a flat portion, 9, of the saidplate, which is intended to slip between the portion a b and the.portion 61 of the plate A, and is made with two lips,jj, tofit over theedges of and clasp the portion (1. This construction of the folder is toenable it to be attached to and detached from the plate A, as it isintended to use folders of different sizes, according to the variouswidths of the hem desired.

In order to provide for the hemmer being managed with the left hand whenthe hem is once started, an opening, '5 i, is made in the upper part ofthe scroll f, to expose the portion of the fabric within the scroll tobe acted upon by the thumb of the left hand for the purpose offeedingthe fabric forward.

fTo use the hemmer, the thumb-strap B is slipped on to the left thumbfar enough to allow the end of the said thumb to enter the opening 11 i,as shown in Fig. 2, and the rest 0 to pass between the first and secondfingers. The edge ofthe fabric to be hemmed is then inserted between theplate A and the scroll of the folder, leaving about one inch of the edgeprotruding from the front end of the folder, and the fabric is drawnbackward by taking hold of it with the thumband torefinger of the lefthand behind the rest 0,-while willi the right hand the edge isturnedover the first turn of the folder until it appears through the aperture7 'i. The end of the thumb of the left hand is then'placed onthat'portion ofthefabric exposed through the opening 1i t, and by movingthe thumb forward in an oblique direc tion over the edge of the fabricthe latter,'adhering to the thumb and slipping over the metal, is causedto pass under the second and last turn of the scroll of the folder, thuscon1- pleting the folding of-the hem. By repeating this movementof thethumb the fabric is urged forward as last as required for sewing and thehem folded as the forward movement of supporting the fabric While thehem is folded,

the clothis proceeded with. The sewing is 2. Providing an opening, i i,in the scroll 0t performed as the fabric passes over the forethe folderfor the admission of the end of the finger after leaving the folder.thumb, substantially as and for the purpose I do not claim thehem-folder composed ofa herein specified.

flattened scroll; but

What I claim as myinvention,and desire to J. O. WHITCOMB. secure byLetters Patent, is- I l 1. The plate A, with its rest 6, tonguec, andthumb-strap B-for holding the folder 0 and Witnesses:

JAMES LAIRD, M. M .LIVINGSTON.

substantially as herein described. l

